Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



f s. B. HASELTINE FRICTION SHOCK ABSQRBING MECHANISM Filed March 16, 1925- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

srAoY B. 'IIAsn irINn, OF CHICAGO, LLIivoIs, ASSIGNOB T0 v. H. MIIvER, Inc, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .A' ooiaronArIoivor DELAWARE.

FRICTION SHOCK-ABSORBING MECHANISMf I Application filed Ma'rch 16, 192 5. fSeria1 'No 1.5,70 5.

This invention relates to friction shock-absorbing mechanisms.

One obj a highcapacityfriction .shock absorbing mechanism having preliminary light action followed-by heavier resistance during the remainder of th'e compression stroke ofrthe mechanism. y

Another robject' of the ect of the invention is ftoprovide I operative plate p proper,i as" -shown',- --com.pri'ses' broad-1y, a

spring cage casting A; twin arranged main spring resistance element-s'BB; a main fol invention is to' pro- :videa mechanism of thechara'cter indicated,

especially adapted for railway draft" rig-- gings, including a differential friction wedge system, a main spring .resistancewand-"an auxiliary spring resistance, wherein the "spring resistance elements are successively operative 'toproduce a light initial anda heavier-final act on. A

eating spring follower "H; an auxiliary spring resistance element 1; a compensating spring J and a retainer 'bolt The spring cage casting A, 'as shown, isjiii, 70 I the form of a hollow box lik emember -hav-- ing top and bottom wallsf16 -16, relatively short, spaced, vertical side walls '1 7I7 and Still anotherobject of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing. mecha-' I nisin-having differential actionyincluding :a friction system resisted by the usual'vspring elements and retaining 711182118 [for holding the parts assembled and maintaining the.

mechanism of unifornn overall length while 5 in full release, wherein the retainingmeans is designed :to' take care of the differential travel of the-partsindependently of the springs resisting the movement :of the friction-elements. 1 v Otherxobjects andm'advantages of the invention will more-clearly and fully appear from .the' description-and claims-hereinafter following.

In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is :a horizontal, longitudinal, sectional view? of a portion "of-Ea railway draft rigging,-showing my improve- I mentsiin connection therewith. Figures2and' 3 are vertical, transverse, sectional views corresponding respectively to the lines 2+2 and 3-3 of Figure -1. And Figures 4;" andi5 are detailed, perspective views of a pair of frictioni wedge blocks used'in connection with my improved mechanism.

In said drawings, 101O indicate channelsliaped center OIiClIELft sills of a railway car underframe, to the inner facesof which are secured front stop lugs 11-11 and rear-stop lugs 12-42. The inner end of the-drawbar is indicated at 13, to which is operatively connected a hooded yoke '14 of wellerknown form.1- i V J Theshock absorbing mechanism proper is disposed within the yoke 14: andthe yoke and the parts therewithin are supported in i inner "sides, the side "walls, 17 are provided with opposed, inwardly converging-wedge faces -19 1-9. llnwardily of thewedge faces 19', thexside -walls are recessed as shown to front'o-f the mainispring follower F.

mit theinsertion of the spring follower and the twin arranged main springelements. As

;clearly' shown in Figured, thejs'hort side position by a detachable saddle lower element C; two outer friction wedge wa'lls are disposed at theiforward eiid of the casting-and are relatively "heavy. On. the

Provide transverse abutment shoulders f 20 with similarly beveled faces 121 on the Themain spring follower F is in-the form .of ;a .re'latively heavy plate having a central opening 22 'theretlirough adaptedtofreely accommodate the compensating follower H.

"for a purpose hereinafterdescribed: The iii- IlQI'eQllClS'Of theside walls are beveled as indicated at 21 the' beveled faces 21 cooperating Atthe forward side,-'lthe' spring follower, F Y

is recessed as ind icatedat 28 to provide -a :seat forthe inner end ofthe auxiliary spring resistance I.

The main spring resistance elements':-B are'ntwin :arranged and interposed between the main .springfollower Fand the trans verse end wall 1 -8 'o-f the springcage; Each member =of the twin arranged spring reysistan'ce e-lement =B comprises an outer heavy :coil and a relatively lighter inner coil.

The main follower element C' has a 'flat end face Qtadapted ,to; cooperate with the front; stop lugs 11. l The follower is pro-vided with ftwo SGlSSFl-Oif interior wedge) faces :25 25.:an'd 26- 26, the wedge faces 25 being disposed outermostand diverging rearwan'illy of the mechanism. The inner set of wedge faces 26 converge rearwardly of the mechanism and are preferably disposed at a blunter angle with reference to the longtudinal axis of the mechanism than the wedge faces for a purpose hereinafter described. The

friction wedge blocks D and E are arranged inpairs at opposite sides of the mechanism.

lower and is correspondingly inelinedthereto. The wedge face 119 of each shoe D cooperates with and is correspondingly inclined to the wedge face 19 at the same side ofthe spring cage.

The friction shoes E are also of like construction, each having a flat outer friction surface 12? adapted to cooperate with the friction surface 27 of the corresponding shoe D. Each shoe E is also provided with --a pair of wedge faces 126 and 28 atthe inner side thereof, the wedge faces 126 of each shoe being correspondingly inclined to and adapted to cooperate with the inner wedge face 26 of the follower at the same side of the mechanism.

The spring follower cap G is in the form ofa cup-shaped member having a pair of laterally extending lugs 29 at the rear end thereof adapted to cooperate with the shoulders 20 of the spring cage casting to limit the outward movement of the follower cap. At its forward end, the follower cap has a pair of forwardly converging faces 128 128 correspondingly inclined to and adapted to cooperate with the respective faces 28 of the inner friction blocks-E. The interior of the'spring cap G is counter-sunk as indicated at 30 to accommodate the front end portion of the compensating spring J. An, annular shoulder 31 is thus provided forminga seat for the outer end of the auxiliary'spring resistance I, the inner end of the latter being seated in the recess 23 of thefmain spring follower F. The compensating springfollower His in the form of a thimble and bears on the inner end of the compensating spring J.

'The parts are held in assembledrelation by the retainer bolt K, which has its opposite ends anchored to the main follower element C and the compensating follower H respectively, the head of the bolt being seated inthe recessed portion of the latter and the nut being accommodated in a recess provided therefor in the main spring fol- .lower element. When the parts are assembled, the bolt is so adjusted that the-compensating spring J is under initial compres 51011501311313 the-wedge friction elements are at all times maintained in perfect contact. It will be evident that the compensatmg spring J holds the parts yieldingly in position independently of the remaining spring resistance elements of the mechanism, thereby taking care of differential travel of the parts independently of the other spring resistance elements, thereby preventing damage or breakage of the retainer bolt. It will also be evident that compensation for wear of the friction and wedge faces is taken care of by the spring J Upon reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that the inner end of the auxiliary spring follower cap G is normally spaced from the front face of the main springfollower F, thereby permitting a certain amount of initial compression of the aux iliary spring J before the main spring follower F is engaged by and moved with the follower cap G. In the normal position of the parts, the inner end of the main follower element is also spaced a predetermined distance from the outer end of the spring cage, this distance being equal to the full compression stroke of the mechanism. The main follower element C will thus engage the outer end of the spring cage when the mechanism is fully compressed the latter acting as a column to transmit the actuating force.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows, assuming an inward or compression movement of the drawbar. As the drawbar is moved inwardly the follower C will be carried inwardly therewith, forcing the outer shoes D laterally toward the axis of the mechanism. and also carrying the same inwardly on the wedge faces 19 of the spring cage. As the blocks Dapproach each other laterally, the blocks E will also be forced inwardly toward the axis of the mechanism and due to the converging wedge faces 26 of the follower C wlll be carried sliding on the friction surface 27 of the blocks D. Due to the'lateral inward movement of the blocks E, frictionv will also be created between-the faces 126 and 26 of the blocks and main follower, respectively. As the bloclrs'E approach each other laterally, the spring follower cap G will be squeezed out therebetween, compressingthe auxiliary spring resistance element 1. This action will continue until the inner end of tthe spring follower cap comes into abutment with the main spring follower l whereu-pon the latter will be carried inwardly in unison with the spring follower cap, compressing the main spring resistance elements B. During this latter action, there will. be substantially no further compression of the auxiliary spring. The differential action of the blocks D and E is taken care of by the compensating spring J as here'inbefore pointed out.

NVhenthe actuating pressure is reduced,

thepar ts will all be restoreds to normal -po--- I sition by the *main: and auxiliary I springs;

outward movementof the follower c being :limited by the retainer fbolt K.

' WVhile I have 'hereinshown-and described what 'nowconsider the preferred manneri of carrying out my inventionpthe same is: merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within 1 the scope ofithe' claims appended hereto;

1. Ina friction shockfabsorbing mechanism; the combination with relatively ,mov-'- able pressure transmitting elements;'-- of a i differential friction wedge system cooperating with said elements and interposed there- 'i"*be't-;ween :an dmadapted to be ,actuated upon i irelative' approach of said elements main and: auxiliary spring resistanceelements;

and :means cooperating with said springs for initially transmitting the pressure from :sa id friction wedge system to the auxiliary spring and transferring-the pressure to the qma1n spr ngfresistance --'a fter a "predetermined compression ,of' the mechanism.

1 In a" friction-shock absorbingniechanismgthe combination witlrfront and 'r'eari 1 main follower actingelements; relatively movable toward each other, sa-id fol'lower" elements having wedge means 'v a'ssociated M therewith; of differential wedge blocks-co 1 operating with said wedge means;- a main ;j-springresistance auxiliary spring re-- sistance initially resisting movementofisaid blocks; and means cooperating with said. blocks for transferring the actuating force from said auxiliary to said main sp'ringresistance after a predetermined compression of the mechanism. n

3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear follower acting elements relatively movable toward and from each other, said elements having wedge means associated therewith; of

differential acting wedge means cooperating with said followers and adapted tobe actuated upon relative approach of the same; spring resistance elements; and means for rendering said spring resistance elements successively operative to resist differential action of said wedge means. i 4. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a spring cage, said cage having wedge means at-one end thereof; of a follower acting member having wedge means thereon difierential wedge friction elements interposed between the wedge means of said follower member and cage; main spring resistance elements within said cage; a main spring follower; an auxiliary spring follower cooperating with said wedge friction elements, said auxiliary andmain spring followers having limited relative movement; and an auxiliary spring resistance interposed between said' "auxiliary and main sp'ringfollowers. 1 i

.5. In ,a friction shock absorbingmecha- "nism; the combination with .a spring cage of a front follower-acting element, said cage" and efol'lower acting elementbe'ing relatively movable toward and froin'eaclr other wedge "means associated with said cage and follower element; a differential friction system cooperatingwit lr-the wedgje means asso=-* ciated with said cage and fol lo wer element main and auxiliary spring resistance elements cooperating with said differential frictionwsystem; means roriimiting separa $1011 of said spring cage'andfollower acting element, said last named-means being yieldingly engaged independently of said maiIi and auxiliary spring resistance elements.

6. lna friction shock absorbing mechanism;,- th'e coinbination with a spring cage having opposed,"converg1ng faces thereon; --'of1a follower acting element having a plurality of wedge faces thereon; aplurality. of

wedge blocks arranged in; "pairs having cooperating friction surfaces," one block of each pairhziving wedge faces' -coope'rating cage and one-of the, faces of "said-follower acting element, and the other block of each pair having wedge f a"ces,-one of which cooperates -wli-th' another of the wedge'faces of said follower 'actingeleinent; a spring fol-I respectively with 0:16 ofthe faces of said lower cooperating with said last namedblock of each'3pa1r;-spring resistance meanscoopcrating with said spring follower; means for fanchori'ngsa id follower acting element, said elements of each set having wedging engagement withone'of the wedge faces of the cage, and one of the diverging wedge faces of the follower element and the other of said cooperating friction elements having wedging engagement with one of the converging faces of said follower element; and a main spring resistance within said cage opposing move-,.

ment'of said sets of cooperating. friction elements. v c i i 8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combinationwith a spring cage i having interior, opposed, converging wedge faces; of av pressure transmitting element havingan inner set of wedge faces converging inwardlyof the mechanism and an outer a I ,nism; the combination with a spring cage having interior opposed faces; of a main set of wedge faces diverginginwai'dly of the mechanism; a plurality of inner and outer friction members, said inner and outer elements having cooperating friction surfaces, said outer'member having faces cooperating with the wedge faces of said cage'and the outer wedge face of the pressure transmitting element and said inner wedge members having wedge faces cooperating with the inner wedge faces of said pressure transmit. ting element; and means for yieldingly opposing movement of the inner friction menibers.

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanlsm, the combination with a spring cage having interiorwedge faces; of a pressure transmitting element having inter or inner and outer sets of wedge faces; a plurality of inner and outer friction members saidvinner and outer elements having cooperating friction surfaces, said outer member having faces cooperating with the wedge faces of said cage and the outer wedge face of the pressure transmitting element and said inner .vedge members having wedge faces cooperating with the inner wedge faces of said pressure transmitting element; and means for,

yieldingly opposing movement of the inner friction members. I

10. In a friction shock absorbing mechaspring resistance within the cage; amain spring follower; an auxiliary spring follower having inwardlydiverging faces at the outer end thereof; an auxiliary spring resistance interposed between said auxiliary and main spring followers; a pressure transmitting element having inner and outersets of wedge faces; a plurality of inner and outer friction members, said inner and outer members having cooperating friction surfaces, said outer members also having wedge faces cooperating with the outer wedge, faces of said pressure transmitting element and the faces of said spring cage, said inner members having wedge faces cooperating with the inner wedge face of said pressure transmitting member, and the inwardly diverging faces of said auxiliary spring follower. 7 I

11. In a friction shock absorbing mecha nism, the combination with a column ele-,

ment having converging interior wedge faces; of a front follower acting element having a plurality of wedge faces tliereon;r

differential friction elements interposed between the wedge'faces of said follower and spring cage; a spring follower cooperating with the differential friction elements; a sechave hereunto subscribed my name this, 12th day of March 1925. 1 v I STACY B. HASETJTINE. 

